Group conversation feature for earmuffs

Abstract

Embodiments include a communication system and method for establishing a wireless communication system. A method may comprise monitoring, by a first headset, a distance between the first headset and a second headset; when the distance between the first headset and the second headset is less than a predefined limit, establishing a voice channel between the first headset and the second headset; allowing voice communication via the voice channel between the first headset and the second headset, wherein the first headset and the second headset comprise a microphone and a speaker; and when the distance between the first headset and the second headset increases to greater than the predefined limit, ending the established voice channel between the first headset and the second headset.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of establishing a wireless communication system, the method comprising:
 monitoring, by a first headset, a distance between the first headset and a second headset; 
 when the distance between the first headset and the second headset is less than a predefined limit, establishing a voice channel between the first headset and the second headset; 
 allowing voice communication via the voice channel between the first headset and the second headset, wherein the first headset and the second headset comprise a microphone and a speaker; and 
 when the distance between the first headset and the second headset increases to greater than the predefined limit, ending the established voice channel between the first headset and the second headset; and 
 preventing any other headsets from being added to the voice channel, in an instance when one or more buttons on at least one of the first or second headsets is activated for a do-not-disturb command. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, before ending the established voice channel between the first headset and the second headset:
 monitoring, by the first headset, a distance between the first headset and a third headset; 
 when the distance between the first headset and the third headset is less than the predefined limit, adding the third headset to the established voice channel; and 
 allowing voice communication via the voice channel between the first headset, the second headset, and the third headset. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, before ending the established voice channel between the first headset and the second headset:
 monitoring, by the second headset, a distance between the second headset and a third headset; 
 when the distance between the second headset and the third headset is less than the predefined limit, adding the third headset to the established voice channel; and 
 allowing voice communication via the voice channel between the first headset, the second headset, and the third headset. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring, by the first headset, a distance between the first headset and third headset; 
 when the distance between the first headset and the third headset is less than the predefined limit, establishing a second voice channel between the first headset and the third headset; and 
 allowing voice communication via the second voice channel between the first headset and the third headset. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring, by the second headset, the distance between the second headset and the third headset; 
 when the distance between the second headset and the third headset is less than the predefined limit, establishing a third voice channel between the second headset and the third headset; and 
 allowing voice communication via the third voice channel between the second headset and the third headset. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring the distance comprises detecting a radio frequency signal strength of the second headset relative to the first headset. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising indicating, via an indicator on at least one of the headsets, that the voice channel has been established. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the indicator comprises an audio alert. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the indicator comprises a light on the exterior of the. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the indicator comprises a multi-color light, and wherein different colors indicate different statuses of the at least one of the first or second headsets. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the indicator comprises a multi-color light and wherein different colors indicate different voice channels. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after establishing the voice channel, increasing a volume of the voice channel when the distance between the first headset and the second headset decreases. 
     
     
       13. A communication system comprising:
 a first headset comprising hearing protection, a microphone, a speaker, and a wireless module; 
 a second headset comprising hearing protection, a microphone, a speaker, and a wireless module, wherein at least one of the first or second headsets is configured to: 
 monitor distance between the first headset and the second headset; 
 when the distance between the first headset and the second headset is less than a predefined limit, establish a voice channel between the first headset and the second headset; 
 allow voice communication via the voice channel between the first headset and the second headset; and 
 when the distance between the first headset and the second headset increases to greater than the predefined limit, end the established voice channel between the first headset and the second headset; and 
 prevent any other headsets from being added to the voice channel, in an instance when a button of one or more buttons on the at least one of the first or second headsets is pressed for a do-not-disturb command. 
 
     
     
       14. The communication system of  claim 13 , wherein the distance is monitored by detecting a signal strength of one or more wireless modules. 
     
     
       15. The communication system of  claim 13 , further comprising a third headset comprising hearing protection, a microphone, a speaker, and a wireless module, wherein at least one of the first, second, or third headsets is configured to:
 monitor a distance between the first headset and the third headset; 
 when the distance between the first headset and the third headset is less than the predefined limit, add the third headset to the established voice channel; and 
 allow voice communication via the voice channel between the first headset, the second headset, and the third headset. 
 
     
     
       16. The communication system of  claim 13 , further comprising a third headset comprising hearing protection, a microphone, a speaker, and a wireless module, wherein at least one of the first, second, or third headsets is configured to:
 monitor a distance between the second headset and the third headset; 
 when the distance between the second headset and the third headset is less than the predefined limit, add the third headset to the established voice channel; and 
 allow voice communication via the voice channel between the first headset, the second headset, and the third headset. 
 
     
     
       17. The communication system of  claim 13 , further comprising a third headset comprising hearing protection, a microphone, a speaker, and a wireless module, wherein at least one of the first, second, or third headsets is configured to:
 monitor a distance between the first headset and the third headset; 
 when the distance between the first headset and the third headset is less than the predefined limit, establish a second voice channel between the first headset and the third headset; and 
 allow voice communication via the second voice channel between the first headset and the third headset. 
 
     
     
       18. The communication system of  claim 13 , further comprising a third headset comprising hearing protection, a microphone, a speaker, and a wireless module, wherein at least one of the first, second, or third headsets is configured to:
 monitor a distance between the second headset and the third headset; 
 when the distance between the second headset and the third headset is less than the predefined limit, establish a third voice channel between the second headset and the third headset; and 
 allow voice communication via the third voice channel between the second headset and the third headset.